Abstract:
Radioactive elements, or radionuclides, are well-established anticancer agents whose main limitation is that they kill healthy cells almost as easily as they do tumors. But because nanoparticles can be targeted to tumors, researchers have seized on the idea of using nanoparticles to deliver radionuclides to tumors, thus sparing healthy tissues from radiation-induced damage. In an important step toward realizing the potential of radionuclide-loaded nanoparticles as radiotherapeutic agents, Lon Wilson, Ph.D., and colleagues at Rice University have demonstrated that ultrashort carbon nanotubes will permanently entrap the potent alpha particle emitting element astatine-211 ( 211At), which has a half-life of 7.2 hours.